Govt must listen to students' voices on holding NEET-JEE exams: Sonia Gandhi

In a video message to the students' fraternity and her 'advice to the government,' she said students are the future of the country and therefore any decision regarding their careers should be taken with their 'concurrence.'

"My dear students, I feel for you because you are now facing a very difficult situation. The issue of your exams, of when they should be held and where, is the most important issue not only for you but your family too," Gandhi said.

"You are our future. We depend on you to build a better India. Therefore, if any decision has to be taken regarding your future, it is important that it is being taken with your concurrence. I hope the government listens to you, listens to your voices and act upon your wishes. This is my advice to the government. Thank you. Jai Hind," she said.

This comes as six Indian states on Friday moved the Supreme Court seeking a consideration of its order, that had allowed the central government to conduct the Joint Entrance Examination Main (JEE Main) and National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) in September, amid Covid-19 spread.

Six states move Supreme Court seeking postponement of JEE, NEET

The six states, all ruled by outfits opposed to the country's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), are West Bengal, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Punjab and Maharashtra.

The idea of knocking the doors of the judiciary was first suggested by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in a meeting, which was called by Congress president Sonia Gandhi earlier this week, attended by the CMs of various states.

All the states, which have moved the court, barring West Bengal are ruled by the Congress either alone or in an alliance.

Disappointing thousands of students across the country, Amit Khare, the secretary of HRD Ministry, had said the entrance examinations cannot be deferred.

Khare cited the Supreme Court order which had given nod to hold the two examinations.

Several pleas were filed in the Supreme Court seeking a postponement of the entrance examinations.

The top court has, however, rejected all petitions stating examinations can't be deferred indefinitely.

Meanwhile, Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank on Thursday claimed lakhs of students of the country want the conduction of engineering and medical entrance examinations.

Pokhriyal Nishank said as quoted by several media, "NTA DG told me that 7.5 lakhs out of 8.58 lakhs candidates in JEE have downloaded admit cards. For NEET, over 10 lakhs out of 15.97 lakhs candidates downloaded admit cards in 24 hours. It shows that students want exams to be held at any cost."